Panthers Emphasizing Wrapping Up, Not Taking Down

SPARTANBURG, SC – Tackling is becoming a thing of the past at Panthers training camp.

In an effort to avoid unnecessary injuries as a result of contact, Carolina – like many teams around the NFL – emphasizes form tackling during team drills with defenders “wrapping up” ball carriers, but not taking them down to the ground.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera says that’s a big change from when he played linebacker 25 years ago for the Chicago Bears when two-a-day practices and all-out tackling were the norm.

Rivera says the approach to tackling has “changed a lot” out of necessity.

Rivera now oversees practices where players get yelled at by coaches if they take an offensive player to the ground except during “live drills” to help avoid injuries.

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